February 29th – [KENNEWICK, WA] The Washington wine community came together to raise $115,000 to address challenges and opportunities facing the industry through the Washington Wine Industry Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser and celebration.
Party + Auction 2024 was held at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA, on February 6th, 2024 and featured a silent auction, exciting games, a full dinner with delicious Washington wines, live music from Walla Walla’s Whiskey Creek Band, and Fund-A-Need.
Over 260 attendees enjoyed donated wines from RM Wineries, Four Feathers Wine Services, Treveri Cellars, Desert Wind Winery, and Fielding Hills Winery while perusing over 40 silent auction items ranging from jewelry to private flights, wine tasting experiences to sporting event tickets, and everything in between.
Sponsored by Banner Bank, Ste Michelle Wine Estates, Stoel Rives, AgWest, Larson Gross, and Inland Desert, the event highlighted the Washington wine community’s enthusiasm for supporting the industry’s future in an ever-changing environment. The night ended with Fund-A-Need, where attendees raised the paddle to donate directly to the Foundation’s programs and initiatives.
Former Foundation Executive Director Vicky Scharlau was honored for her over two decades of service through the inception and growth of the organization with a compilation video of her closest friends and former colleagues, and Foundation Board Chair Bill Shibley presented Scharlau with a plaque in recognition of her unparalleled commitment to the industry.
Current Executive Director Sara Higgins views the event as a signal of the future of Washington wine – a promise of meaningful collaboration.
“As the Foundation’s new executive director, I was deeply enthused with the energy in the room the night of Party + Auction! The potential that represents for future engagement and industry support is exciting,” Higgins said. “I look forward to tapping that energy as a catalyst for the good work ahead.”
Party + Auction 2024 was a night full of connection, celebration, generosity, and hope for the future of the Washington wine industry. Stay tuned for more information on how to get involved in Party + Auction 2025.
About the Foundation
A dynamic network of wine industry professionals united by a common vision: to foster a thriving Washington wine industry. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Foundation facilitates, manages, and distributes funding to confront challenges and invest in solutions including scholarships, industry events, and sustainability such as pest control, clean plants, risk management, safety, and more. Through collaboration and partnerships, the Foundation honors the industry’s heritage while forging a path to a flourishing future for Washington wine. To learn more, visit www.washingtonwinefoundation.org.
